NHL 2020-21 season predictions: Playoff picks and Stanley Cup winner

NHL 2020-21 season predictions: Playoff picks and Stanley Cup winner.

The 2020-21 NHL season is here. Let's dive into playoff predictions.

The Lightning and Hurricanes are virtual locks. The other two seeds are up for grabs. Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the top defensive teams with a terrific goaltending duo in Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins.

The Lightning and Hurricanes are virtual locks for the playoffs. The other two seeds are up for grabs. Nashville has real bounce-back potential if they can put it all together. Blue Jackets are one of the top defensive teams with a terrific goaltending duo. Stars are going to be without Ben Bishop and Tyler Seguin until at least March.

Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders are going to miss the playoffs. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still fresh after a lengthy offseason.

The Penguins and Islanders are going to miss the playoffs. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still fresh after a lengthy offseason.

The next five spots are practically interchangeable. Johnny Gaudreau and the Flames should improve after an off-year. The Oilers have two of the best players in the world in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.

The division is going to be a dog-fight. The next five spots are practically interchangeable. Johnny Gaudreau and the Flames are going for a rebound after an off year. Jake Allen and Carey Price are the best goalkeepers in the division. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid might be the world's best players.

The first three spots will go to the Avalanche, Blues and Golden Knights. The fourth seed came down to Coyotes, Sharks and Wild.

The first three spots will go to the Avalanche, Blues and Golden Knights. The fourth seed will be decided by the Coyotes, Sharks and Wild.

Predators were one of the top even-strength teams last season but had a brutal special teams. The Canadiens were the best possession team at 5-on-5 last year. Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli and a healthy Jonathan Drouin and Brendan Gallagher will give the Canadiens a strong four-line rotation in front of goalie Carey Price.

Predators were one of the top even-strength teams last season but had a brutal special teams. Canadiens were statistically the best possession team at 5-on-5 last year. They didn't have any finishers, but Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli and Jonathan Drouin will give them a strong four-line rotation in front of goalie Carey Price. Avalanche will be too much to handle for the Canadiens.